Lung Cancer Treatment

Lung cancer is a common health concern that occurs in the lungs due to uncontrolled growth of cells. Once it takes place in the body, then it starts to spread from one organ to another and affect entire body’s functioning. This problem mainly occurs due to smoking. However, it also affects non-smokers due to environmental factors and other health concerns. The condition affects both men and women. This problem is most common all over the world. The lung cancer treatment is essential in the early stages, because in the ending stages it will be more harmful.

Types of Lung Cancer

This health problem consists of different types, which are as follows:

• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A cancer that affects approximately 85% people is NSCLC. This problem divided into further subtypes:
  • Squamous Carcinoma: A cancer that occurs in the skin and other body parts. It is a common problem associated with smoking history. 
  • Large Cell (Undifferentiated) Carcinoma: It is a less common cancer that can occur in any part. 
  • Adenocarcinoma: It occurs in the outer part of the lung, which commonly affects non-smokers.
• Small Cell Lung Cancer: SCLC is a problem that spreads early to other body parts. It is a rare and aggressive cancer that affects 10-15 % of individuals. This problem is diagnosed in people aged 50 years or above.
• Carcinoid Tumors: This lung cancer occurs in different body parts, including liver, bones, and brain. It starts in the digestive tract or lungs. Carcinoid tumors also produce hormones that lead to wheezing, heart problems, diarrhea, and flushing.
• Lung Adenocarcinoma In Situ: AIS is a non-invasive form of lung cancer often treated by CT scans. It is a most common lung cancer, which affects the lining cells in lungs. 

Note: Under the microscope, AIS looks abnormal, which means it is not yet cancer. This problem becomes cancer if it is not treated properly.

• Lung Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma: LELC is a rare and aggressive lung cancer causing tumor in epithelial and lymphoid cells. It is often linked with the Epstein-Barr virus. This problem is common for non-smoking Asians and young people.
• Pulmonary Sarcomatoid Carcinoma: It is a rare and aggressive lung cancer common in smokers. This problem occurs due to carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements in the tumor. 

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer causes several symptoms, which are as follows:

• Chest Pain: Lung cancer causes chest pain due to tumors, which leads to tightness in chest or pressure against nerves. A person feels chest pain in the chest when breathing, coughing, or laughing. 
• Hoarseness and Wheezing: Hoarseness is a symptom that occurs due to irritation or injury in the vocal cords. This problem gets relieved in a short period. 

Wheezing is caused due to obstruction of the airways, which may be a sign and symptom of lung cancer. It is different from asthma. 

• Shortness of Breath: This condition blocks the major airways and leads to shortness of breath in patients. It causes fluid accumulation, which collects fluid around the lungs and heart. This makes breathing more problematic for both men and women. 
• Unexplained Weight Loss: It is a symptom linked with advanced lung cancer. The energy consumed by cancer cells leads to muscle wasting and weight loss. This problem should not be ignored by healthcare providers.

How to Cure Lung Cancer Disease?

Lung cancer can be prevented in the following ways:

• Eat a Balanced Diet: Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains support a person from lung cancer and are helpful for overall health and well-being for individuals. A healthy diet is low in trans-fat, cholesterol, saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. Foods with excess amounts reduce efficiency and resiliency of cells, which leads to increase in risk of lung cancer. 

• Avoid Carcinogens: You must take precautions the protection of carcinogens at work. It is important to wear a mask for protection. 

• Quit Smoking: Smoking causes many health problems, including lung cancer. Therefore, it is important to quit smoking, which is beneficial for your health. 

• Test Home for Radon: It is important to check your home while living in an area with high radon levels. You can buy radon test kits online, which can be sold in hardware stores. If you want to get more information about radon testing, then contact the local department of public health. 

• Avoid Secondhand Smoke: Secondhand smoke is a smoke that comes from another person’s cigarette. It contains toxic chemicals that are harmful for health and increase lung cancer. A person must avoid smoking areas or urge others to quit. 

• Regular Exercise: People must stay active by doing regular exercise when suffering from lung cancer. It not only helps in reducing a symptom but also maintains overall health. 

• Understand Your Family History: If you have any family members suffering from lung cancer, then it may increase your risk. Consult with your doctor about the family history and risk factors of this problem. 

Types of Lung Cancer Treatment

Lung cancer consists of several treatments, which are as follows:

• Surgery: Surgery is a primary treatment that removes an entire lung for the treatment of lung cancer. It involves various  procedures for the treatment:
  • Wedge Resection: It removes a small, wedge-shaped section of a lung. 
  • Lobectomy: The most common surgical procedure removes the entire lobe. 
  • Segmental Resection: This procedure involves removing a large portion of the lung. 
  • Pneumonectomy:  This surgical procedure involves removal of the entire lung. 

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy treats both NSCLC and SCLC in patients. It is a lung cancer treatment, which is used in killing cancer cells, stabilizing cancer, and shrinking tumors. 

• Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific molecules of cancer cells. It often treats NSCLC in patients. This treatment works differently compared to chemotherapy. 

• Immunotherapy: It stimulates the body’s immune system to target and attack cancer cells for lung cancer treatment. This therapy is mainly useful in treating NSCLC in patients. 

• Radiation Therapy: This therapy uses X-rays to kill cancer cells in lungs. It involves a combination of different treatments of lung cancer. Radiation therapy uses palliative treatment to reduce lung cancer symptoms in the patient. It also treats metastatic lung cancer, which affects bone, brain, and other body organs.